London city council briefs

By Megan StaceyThe London Free Press

Published on: July 25, 2017 | Last Updated: July 26, 2017 3:19 AM EDT

Opponents of the proposed abattoir on Longwoods Road in at council meeting in London. L to R Jeff and Shannon Donkervoort, Carla Kuijpers, Amanda Dwyer and Rob McNeil. (Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press)

A controversial Halal abattoir that pitted the Muslim community against some southwest residents was unanimously approved by council Tuesday night. Neighbours had voiced displeasure over the proposed slaughterhouse at 8076 Longwoods Rd.

Another dozen submissions were added to the council agenda on Tuesday. Coun. Anna Hopkins, in whose ward the abattoir is located, said she worked hard to understand the “complex” zoning situation for the site, ultimately amended to allow the abattoir.

She said she heard community concerns “loud and clear,” but had to support and protect agricultural land. “If anyone wants to know what sprawl looks like, it’s this. It’s country and city colliding in my ward,” she said.

Fire code violations don’t tell the whole story

Council echoed a decision from the community and protective services committee not to publicly post fire code violations online. The push to share fire code violations with the public wouldn’t necessarily tell the whole story, staff and councillors said, noting that it takes time for charges to proceed to convictions, and that ownership of property can change. “Do potential tenants deserve to know, have the right to know, what properties or what buildings are not well maintained in the city? Absolutely,” said Coun. Maureen Cassidy. “I just don’t think the bylaw we were presented with solves the problem that we have.” A lack of fire code violations doesn’t mean the building is safe, and a new owner could be saddled with a former owner’s wrongdoing, councillors pointed out. But it was a tight vote, 8-6, with several councillors vowing to bring back the topic with a revamped motion.

Granny flats get green light

Council voted Tuesday night to allow secondary dwelling units in the neighbourhoods around Western University and Fanshawe College. Coun. Phil Squire rallied against the granny flats once again, calling the council meeting his “supreme court” because of the many times he’s unsuccessfully tackled the issue. Community groups and residents in the so-called near-campus neighbourhoods worry about greater intensification as a result of secondary dwellings and the potential noise, traffic and garbage that could come with them, he said. But Coun. Jesse Helmer pointed out that a limit on bedrooms in single-family detached dwellings – capped at five, including any secondary dwelling units – already serves as a control.

BRT moves forward

Council gave formal approval to the bus rapid transit master plan and revamped business case at Tuesday night’s meeting, giving city hall the go-ahead to move forward with next steps, chiefly seeking funding from the federal and provincial governments. The decision also kicks off a 45-day public review period, where Londoners will be asked for their feedback – not on the decisions already made by council, but on next steps for the project.

Owning the tax error

City hall assured residents that banks are reversing any insufficient fund charges slapped on Londoners’ accounts as a result of the screw-up with pre-authorized tax payments earlier this month. About 33,000 taxpayers saw funds they owed withdrawn twice in a matter of days. City staff are bumping up “control protocols” to keep the problem from ever happening again. “It was an unfortunately situation…but we are making sure that never happens again,” Coun. Paul Hubert said, also thanking staff for “owning it when it happens and fixing it fast.”

Dance the night away

Just minutes before midnight, city council agreed to suspend a bylaw that limits amplified music and dancing on patios in light of an appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board. Council first loosened the reins on the restrictive rules at a June council meeting, but the OMB appeal pressed pause on their decision. Council decided to direct staff to stand down on the enforcement of the zoning bylaw, given that the OMB likely won’t hear the appeal before the end of this patio season.

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